Van Laven Chronicles (33 page)

CHAPTER 62

“How have I surrounded myself with such towering incompetence?” Thalonius ranted as he strode down the great hall flanked by his closest advisors. “They had her cornered, yet this band of riffraff stole her right from beneath their noses!”

“Your Majesty, it was a highly trained band of mercenaries—”

“Tell me something I haven’t already heard before,” Thalonius snapped. “Whom do they work for? Where did they come from?”

“There was a time when your father’s troops moved that way. I suspect it is someone with a very strong military background, based upon the precision and discipline with which they moved,” said his war counselor.

Thalonius looked at the gray, bristle-haired man. “You think that my army is defecting to the usurper’s side?”

“No, Your Grace,” he answered. “The members of your high command are fiercely loyal to you.”

“Fierce loyalty?” Thalonius pressed. “That’s the reason you believe they couldn’t be involved?”

“No, my lord,” said the counselor. “It’s because no one in your current regime trains their men to move the way those men did.” The commerce advisor was only pointing out what the war advisor failed to say. “There once was a time when the imperial troops inspired well-earned fear and respect. But now they have grown bloated and lazy, relying on their old reputation to maintain control throughout the system.”

Thalonius and his entourage ascended the main stairway of the Lion’s Palace. “My father’s day was a different time altogether. It was necessary for him to rule with an iron rod. In more peaceful times, one reaches for the staff for more gentle shepherding.”

“But others, namely house Dredfort, have filled the void. There are rumors that their military rivals the imperial forces.”

Thalonius turned to him. “You don’t think that Dredfort’s behind this, do you?”

“No, Your Grace. When it comes to long-term strategy, Dredfort is slow, deliberate and plodding. This news of the girl sprang up only a week ago. They would produce a plan of action only after months of debate and introspection.”

“True, Jerand,” Thalonius conceded. “But they’ve been conspiring for our downfall for some time. They could be duly motivated by the prospect of marrying one of their brood to the girl if she were to reach the throne.”

“But Sire, have they the gall to take such an initiative?” Jerand asked as they reached the landing. “Granted they would surely rush to throw one of their sons at her if she were to take the throne, but I cannot believe Dredfort is behind this bold move.”

Raising his hands, Thalonius shouted, “Then who is aiding the girl?”

The war advisor stepped up. “My lord, it will matter little once we throw the full fire power of the imperial military forces at her. We will cut her down and remove the threat once and for all.”

Thalonius stopped, causing his whole party to jumble together. “Pray that you do.” He turned to look at each of them. “Because if you fail and I lose my throne, I will have each and every one of your thick heads on a spike!”

CHAPTER 63

A small assault force was tearing through the Recaban’s hired hands like they were nothing. The precision and ferocity of the attack was mesmerizing. Projectiles crisscrossed the corridor, but the two-man team remained moving targets, all the while firing their weapons and leaping up to mortally strike down the enemy. In under a minute, there was no one left standing but the two strangers outfitted in full combat armor and heavy blast rifles. Awed, Comron wondered at their identity. They sure as hell weren’t Thalonius’ fighters.

Abruptly, he shut the door, locking it, unsure as to the stranger’s intentions. Just as he did, they called out to him. “Lord Comron Van Laven, we mean you no harm.”

Comron discerned no duplicity in their tone, but still caution was warranted. “Who are you?” He stood aside from the door in case they decided to shoot through it.

“We’ve been sent by Her Grace, the Honored Lady of Ti-Laros, to rescue you.”

Instantly, he sensed the truth of their words.
The allies have consented to Vaush’s demand to come for me. Perhaps there is hope for an alliance after all.

He wanted to say as much to Crausin but he was too eager to go to Vaush and speak to the parties who’d taken her. He opened the door and walked out.

“Where is Vaush?” he asked, staring back at his reflection in their face visors. “Is she all right?”

“She’s safe with my men and doing quite well,” answered the taller one.

“Cap’n, we’re down to fifty-seven minutes. The commute alone will take forty-five of that,” said the other one, before hoisting a nasty looking blast rifle. He trained it on Crausin and a green light appeared on Crausin’s brow. “Is this one a problem?”

Comron moved between Crausin and the rifle’s line of sight. “I suggest you point that beast elsewhere.”

“Stand down, DeOrchis,” the captain said and DeOrchis promptly lowered his weapon. “We’re here for you. Let’s go.”

“I’ll go but he’s coming with us,” he said hitching a thumb back at Crausin.

“I’m not going on this suicide mission,” Crausin staunchly replied.

Comron spun to face him. “I could always have them shoot you.” He heard DeOrchis hoist his weapon. “Stand down, DeOrchis,” he said over his shoulder.

“We need to move, Van Laven,” the Captain stated.

“One second,” Comron grabbed Crausin’s arm and hustled him over to the side. “You owe me this.”

“What I owe you is a spot in front of a firing squad.”

“You’re
my
Oath brother, sworn to walk by side in my darkest hour, it doesn’t get much darker than this.”

“Someone has to think of Nethic. This is treason.”

“You have to trust me. If Vaush takes the Imperial throne, Nethic rises with her.”

“Captain Yaeger, we’re running out of time,” DeOrchis said.

“This is me not abandoning you,” Comron said in a lower voice. “You want my allegiance as a brother then earn it! Not by imprisoning me but by giving me yours. Come with me, Crausin.”

As Comron anticipated the suggestion pulled at the very heart of their bond and Crausin was duly moved. “Comron, if we fail—”

Comron turned to Yaeger. “We’re ready to go.”

Behind his masked face, Yaeger looked from Comron to Crausin. “We can’t afford any trouble out there.”

“You won’t have any trouble from us,” Comron said, pushing passed them with Crausin in tow. “Let’s go.”

Recovering the lead, Yaeger lead them into a stairwell. He tapped the side of his helmet, engaging infrared receptors. DeOrchis did the same, looking up.

“We’re clear. Let’s go,” Yaeger said.

Comron and Crausin followed them as they hurried down the stairs. “Are you with the Imperial army?” Comron asked, wondering if there were still some powerful factions loyal to the late Emperor’s will.

Yaeger kept moving. “No, not exactly.”

This disturbed Comron. Who else could possibly be orchestrating their escape? What did these people hope to gain by helping Vaush?

After rapidly descending five flights, they heard the doors crash open and shouting. Blast-fire rained down from above and shot up from below. The four of them kept advancing downward but clung to the walls.

“How close are we, DeOrchis?”

“Just one more flight, cap’n.”

On the surface it appeared to Comron that their enemies had managed to cut-off their escape route, but he had a feeling the two in front of him had something up their sleeves.

They reached the next flight. DeOrchis tapped another button on his helmet and appeared to be staring at a solid wall. “This is it,” he announced. He tapped at the controls on his armband. There was a strange whirring noise, then Comron watched as a hole appeared in the wall. DeOrchis nimbly climbed through it. The captain motioned for Comron and Crausin to follow. Once on the other side, Comron realized that they’d climbed out onto the roof of the adjacent building. Looking back, he saw the captain coming out of the hole. DeOrchis tapped the controls again and the hole vanished. Just when Comron began to chalk it up to a simple holographic trick, the captain knocked his fist against the spot, hitting solid wall.

“We’re good,” he confirmed.

Comron looked from one man to the other. “How did you do that?”

DeOrchis seemed to be grinning. “Just another product of my imagination. They’ll assume we’ve gone back into the building through one of the doors in the stairwell. That’ll buy us a few minutes,” DeOrchis said as they ran over to the ledge. Peering down, they saw that the place was swarming with Recaban and Thalonius’ forces. But all attention was intently fixed on the building they’d just left.

“Check the back door,” Yaeger ordered DeOrchis.

Immediately, DeOrchis ran to the opposite side of the building and looked down the five stories. “We’re surrounded,” he said hustling back over to them. “That didn’t take them long.”

“I think you’re really beginning to make them nervous,” Comron observed.

“You’ve abducted their Duke, what did you think they’d do?” Crausin said.

Comron shot him a look and then crouched down with the others when a hovercraft passed directly over them. It shined its searchlight on the adjacent building.

“Time?” said Yaeger.

“49 minutes,” DeOrchis responded.

“What happens in 49 minutes?” Comron asked.

“Our ride leaves,” DeOrchis answered.

Comron gave Yaeger a questioning look.

“I’ve ordered my men to leave with or without us. Our primary mission is to deliver Vaush to Novoxos.”

“Of course,” Comron said, then anxiously, “Why is she still on Anchorii?”

“Our carrier will only touch down at the specified time. It was too dangerous to keep it on the ground.” Yaeger turned to DeOrchis. “You ready with our diversion?”

“Yes, sir,” he said. Again his finger tapped at the controls on his armband. “Fire in the hole.”

All of a sudden a series of explosions went off in several strategic positions below. Total pandemonium broke out as the leaders tried to figure out the source of the random explosions. The captain motioned for them to move off. They sprinted toward the back of the building. Sheldon and DeOrchis pulled out their utility belts and leapt over the side of the wall.

“Use this and follow us down on my cable,” he tossed Comron a spare utility belt. “I wasn’t expecting two passengers. You’ll have to make do.”

“We’ll manage,” he said, fastening the belt around his waist. Yaeger and DeOrchis hopped over the wall and began their descent.

“Come on,” Comron said to Crausin. “I’ll lower us down.”

“Comron, listen to reason, this isn’t going to work. Those are our men out their searching for us. We should—”

“Hold on,” Comron said, grabbing hold of Crausin while securing his grip on the rope. Effortlessly, he leapt over the side with him and allowed the winch to lower them to the ground where Yaeger and DeOrchis waited.

As soon as he reached the bottom, Yaeger disengaged the hooks and reeled in the cable. Moving with great stealth, they crept in the shadows around the corner of the building, ducking behind a large dumpster. They froze in place as a band of soldiers came running around the corner with searchlights scanning the alley. Comron began wondering how much time had passed. He wanted Vaush to get away as soon as possible, but had no desire to be stranded here with half of Anchorii hunting them.

“How do we get out of here?”

“In this,” Captain Yaeger said, slapping the side of the dumpster. “We’re clear, DeOrchis.”

The dumpster began morphing before Comron’s eyes, transforming into a lethal looking armored vehicle. “Who the hell are you working for?” he asked, knowing that such technology was only available to the upper echelons of Imperial military.

The door slid open, and the four men deftly climbed into the tank. Yaeger jumped into the driver’s seat and fired the engines. DeOrchis slid into the tactical station, manning the weapons system. Comron sat in the co-pilot’s chair and motioned for Crausin to take one of the passenger seats. The tank sped down the back alley, mowing down anything in its path.

“We’ve got exactly forty-five minutes, cap’n.”

Comron quickly scanned the controls before him, familiarizing himself with the schematics. The alley ended several blocks away from the skirmish. With no other choice, they had to break out onto the main road. For a brief time, the ride was fairly uneventful. But then the tank shook from a thunderous explosion.

“I think they’ve found us.” Yaeger glanced back at DeOrchis. “Let ‘em know we see them too.”

“I’m on it!” DeOrchis answered before letting loose missile fire. “Direct hit, sir!”

“Switching to stealth mode,” Yaeger said.

“Shields activated,” DeOrchis responded.

Comron was pressed back into his seat as the vessel quickly accelerated. “We’re invisible to their sensors?”

“Yes, they can see us, but their weapons system will not be able to read us. That should take something off their accuracy.”

“All this technology, it isn’t exactly on the market for retail consumption, is it?”

Yaeger said nothing and with his face shielded, Comron couldn’t easily read him.

“So who picks up the tab for all these expensive toys?” And more importantly, what would they want in return for aiding Vaush?

Yaeger turned the vehicle sharply, taking them off road. Getting jostled about, Comron fastened his harness and advised Crausin to do the same.

“We’ve got to shake these birds, DeOrchis. We can’t bring all this heat down on the landing site.”

“I’m taking them down.”

Yaeger spared a glance at Comron. “You any good at navigation? This terrain is going to be pretty tricky.”

“I’ll do what I can,” Comron said, studying the foreign controls.

Yaeger leaned over and tapped at the nav-system controls. A three dimensional map appeared. He pointed to a red blinking dot. “That’s us.” Yaeger abruptly turned his attention back to the makeshift road. “Hold on!” he yelled just before they went airborne. Comron gripped the dashboard and the handle above his head. They landed hard, flipping head over heels, finally settling at an upside-down angle. The tank extended stabilizing arms to right itself. Once they were corrected, they were quickly underway.

“That’s exactly what I’d like you to keep an eye out for,” Yaeger told Comron. “We’re moving pretty fast, and that kind of stuff will come up out of nowhere.”

“No shite,” Comron replied as his eyes rapidly scanned the schematics.

“Don’t worry,” Yaeger said, seeing the grimace on his face. “This is the best way to lose the ground pursuit.”

“I can see why,” he observed. “Look at this.” He pointed at the map. “We’re going to hit another gorge in thirty seconds, but there’s a bridge ten degrees south.”

“Adjusting latitude,” Yaeger responded. “Status on the bridge condition.”

Comron touched the screen, surprised at how intuitive the operation seemed. “Several distress and decay spots along the structure,” he reported. “But we don’t have a choice, the gorge is 700 feet deep.”

“Great, we’re coming up on it now.”

The structure was ancient, covered in rust and vegetation. It creaked loudly as the tank crept out over it. Comron tensed as he gazed over the side of the narrow bridge. That was a drop he didn’t care to make.

“Only thirty-five more minutes,” DeOrchis announced.

Yaeger sped up the pace a bit. At this rate, they’d make it across in one more minute. “We’ve got incoming!” DeOrchis yelled. Just then they heard the deafening roar of jets flying overhead.

“Buy us some time,” Yaeger barked, “We’re almost there!”

An explosion from above shook the bridge.

“A little close, DeOrchis,” Yaeger said as he strained to steer the tank.